These three are all internationally acclaimed and as good as you'll see. Chris Rock is hilarious in Good Hair, The Act of Killing is just brilliant and Jesus Camp is quite extraordinary.

You don't need to sign up, we don't harvest your information and it's about as simple as you can get with categories that cross music, art and literature, biography, subculture, gender and sexuality and plenty more.

Take a look right here...or scroll down to the bottom of the page to see this month's featured trailers and our August featured short film.

AUGUST AUSTRALIAN REVELATIONS MONTHLY SCREENING: LANTANA

After our 2017 main event we're back on deck with our monthly screenings of new and archival films and this month we're featuring the 2001 Aussie classic Lantana.

Lantana marked a new direction for Australian cinema. With a discernable European feel it is layer upon layer of intertwined stories and shoots – just like the plant – and getting to the roots of the growth becomes more and more challenging.

As the film opens a body is discovered in the shrub and as each story branch is removed to find the cause, those involved become more and more entangled in the world that has grown over them.

As complex interrelationships are exposed we are introduced to and all-star cast who turn in laser-guided performances aided by a script that twists and turns up many a garden path. Anthony LaPaglia is Leon, the police officer; Kerry Armstrong is his wife Sonja; Barbara Hershey plays psychiatrist Valerie Somers; Geoffrey Rush is her husband John and the supporting cast features Peter Phelps, Rachael Blake, Vince Colosimo and others.

Despite the density of relationships and suspicions related to the murder and their own fidelity all are strangely alone and disconnected and it’s these explorations against the backdrop of murder that prove utterly engrossing.

IT'S A WRAP!

2017 has been our biggest year. With great houses and sell outs throughout we had many "I was there that night" moments for events, films, music, talks and exhibitions...in fact we've seen more than 10,000 people come through our doors this year against 2017 which was a great year in itself.

But although the July dates are done we've got events and activities throughout the year including our monthly Australian screening showcase Australian Revelations and a whole series of events in found spaces we're planning as part of our Invigorate Perth partnership with the City of Perth.

We'll also be back with a Fringe World program in February and of course a monster event in July 2018 that'll include a live music program and of course our internationally recognised film program.

We're about to announce several filmmaking initiatives which re-affirms our commitment to the encouragement of a creative and critical WA film and wider community and we're gearing ourselves to staking our place as the most vital and innovative film festival in the country.

Our international call for entries will open September 1st and as usual we just keep rolling in bringing the very best of local and international independent cinema to you year-round.

Our deepest thanks go to all our staff, our 70+ volunteers and supporters in 2017. What an amazing ride.

20

July

WARP MOVING IMAGE ART EXHIBITION SEES 8,000 THROUGH THE DOOR

In our first program collaboration with the Fremantle Arts Centre we were proud to present the moving image art exhibition Warp.

Curated by nationally recognised moving image art curator Amy Marjoram, Warp was a unique collaboration between 8 WA and Victorian screen artists that explored the way our increasingly screen-dominated lives are affecting our perception of reality and the way we interact and connect with others. Shifting ideas around intimacy and isolation, the performative instincts within our online exchanges and the threats and promises of a digitised personal history are some of the themes explored in this thought provoking and sometimes challenging series of works.

PICTURE PALACES DATE CHANGE - JUST ONE MORE

For those of you wanting to experience the Picture Palace exhibition you're going to have to wait a bit longer...the building is still being renovated!

The exhibition will now officially open on Aug 19th - so we'll see you then!

10

JULY

LIFE IN PICTURES COMPETITION WINNERS

After months of planning and filmmaking we had out Life in Pictures filmmaking competition award screenings at luna in Leederville. The audience turned out in numbers to experience the community voices looking at ageing - and it was incredibly rewarding.

REV#20 FILM REVIEWS

We've got reviews coming in this and fast for some of the films on offer for 2017 so if you're having trouble making up your mind as to what to see, perhaps let someone else do it for your you. Take a look a here...

Perth Cool Nights gives a great overview of some of their hit-picks including the great feature film Watch the Sunset. Read it right here.

MAY AUSTRALIAN REVELATIONS: DEATH IN BRUNSWICK - SOLD OUT!

Our monthly series of new and archival Australian films is powering along with sell-out houses and filmmaker Q&As. For May the late, great John Clark along with Zoe Carides and Sam Neill will star in John Ruane's fantastic romance/comedy/crime film Death in Brunswick - but sorry to say it's sold out!

Neill plays Carl a one-step-away alcoholic, loser and cook – that is until he meets Sophie (Carides) a barmaid in the shady joint in which he works. The two find a serious spark but family and friends have other ideas. After an untimely death of a kitchen hand things rapidly spiral well out of control for all as the star-crossed lovers need to deal with family expectations and an unexpected all-out gang war. Along the way Carl is notably assisted by Dave (Clark) in a turn described by The Guardian as “a scene-stealing sidekick powered by a boisterously entertaining performance”

The show always sells out so get in early. Tickets also include complimentary wine and nibbles supplied by Gourmet Trader.

MARCH AUSTRALIAN REVELATIONS: CHASING ASYLUM

After a great start to the year for us with our sold-out Fringe World screenings we're prepping ourselves for our monthly Australian Revelations series...and to kick it off we're very pleased to announce our March screening - Chasing Asylum.

One of the most awarded, popular and widely seen Australian documentaries of recent years, Chasing Asylum is a blistering look at at the issue of asylum seekers, Australia's treatment of them and the inevitable enormous personal, mental and financial cost.

Directed by Oscar winner Eva Orner it's such an important issue and such an important film.

REV AT FRINGE WORLD: SELL OUTS ALL ROUND

We were super happy to be again part of the amazing Fringe World celebrations for 2017 with our presentation of the newly restored 70's David bowie/Nicholas Roeg classic The Man Who fell to Earth.

With a limited 3-session run and two sell-out houses in that, the film was also accompanied by a Bowie mini-photographic exhibition of portraits taken at the time - some even on set - of Bowie himself. These were incredible...the contrast and resolution were really something to behold! Very beautiful and very famous.

The event was so successful that we've nominated for a film and Multi-Media Award in the Fringe World Awards - for the second year running we might add.

If you want to take a look at some of the comings and goings, take a peek at our Gallery right here.

FILM FESTIVAL SURVIVAL GUIDE PT2

Our Festival Director Richard Sowada has taken it on himself to start a film comment blog examining all elements of the sector with a special focus on distribution and exhibition. If you're a filmmaker you may be interested in his thoughts of how to make the film festival floor work in part 2 of his Film Festival Survival Guide.

There's all manner of tips and observations - one of which is bound to stick.

FIVE NEW FEBRUARY REV ON DEMAND RELEASES!

Our very own On Demand platform - REVonDEMAND - is really building a head of steam with excellent titles being added every month and for February we've got five and have lined up another 12 for March and April!

If you love documentary portraits, activism, cinema, conspiracy, music, gender and protest we've got them all! Take a look at these beauties:

We've also added a new category - Portraits & Biographies - that includes some really excellent and unique work.

Many of the titles available are only available through REVonDEMAND which we believe to one of the only portals for independent cinema like it anywhere in the world.

We also believe REVonDEMAND represents one of the most accessible and comprehensive research portals for students and filmmakers internationally who may be wanting to explore films made that cover politics, conspiracy and counter culture, art, literature and cinema, gender and sexuality, music, horror and sic-fi and nearly 200 international short films.

FILM FESTIVAL SURVIVAL GUIDE

For filmmakers the festival world may be filled with mystery, surprises, pitfalls and elements that confound logic.

Rev's own Director and founder Richard Sowada has taken it upon himself to examine this world in a two part Film Festival Survival Guide blog. Part 1 looks at how you can best prepare yourself and tip things in your favour in the selection process. Part 2 looks at how to maximise your festival opportunity once you're in.

JANUARY REV ON DEMAND TITLES ARRIVE

We've got a ton of titles arriving for our very own on demand platform REVonDEMAND and we're getting an amazing response internationally from what's available and it's unique approach.

REVonDEMAND is made up of as many films we've previously screened as we can possibly get hold of, many of them exclusive to this platform internationally. In sourcing the catalogue we deal directly with the directors, producers, sales agents and distributors and in may cases we're uncovering and making available films that haven't been seen for more than a decade. For many films that are already online we're linking to them in an effort to support the filmmakers but either way it's a truly excellent line-up.

For the festival and WA film industry REVonDEMAND also represents a unique locally based but international distribution and exhibition platform representing one of the best online collections of international independent cinema to be found anywhere.

January sees the addition of four documentary titles:

From internationally regarded filmmaker Kim Longinotto comes the great exploration of Japanese women's wrestling with Gaea Girls (main banner picture).

For lovers of pop-culture you can't miss with Ron Mann's fab look at the life and times of 'Big Daddy' Ed Roth Tales of the Rat Fink.

For lovers of film itself is the definitive portrait of legendary experimental filmmaker Stan Brakhage in the film Brakhage.

And for lovers of music comes Kevin Barker's great look at life on the road with The Family Jams.

MURDOCH UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCED AS PRESENTING PARTNER FOR REVELATION ACADEMIC

Our Academic component is one of the fastest growing elements of the event embracing delegates from around the country and around the world so it's with enormous pleasure we welcome Murdoch University on board as 2017 Revelation Academic presenting partner.

Rev is Australia's only international film festival to host and encourage academic discussion alongside its screening program and an important platform in film discussion and analysis in this country.

In association with Murdoch this year's conference is scheduled for Monday 10 & Tuesday 11 July (All day events). If you'd like to register your interest in presenting a paper click right here. You don't have to a student or academic to present so if you'd just like to talk about and present your ideas you're more than welcome.

As a very special addition to celebrate our 20th anniversary, RevAcademic participants are invited to attend an Industry Soiree post conference on 11 July followed by a complimentary film screening in the evening. We would love you to join us! Details to come...

Revelation Academic presented in association with Murdoch University

1

Dec

5 new rev on demand titles arrive for december

REVonDEMAND is the only tailor-made portal to international independent cinema associated with a film festival you'll find in the country - and it just keeps growing.

We're over the moon to announce the inclusion of 5 new titles for December that embrace documentary, comedy, sic-fi, fantasy, Nazis, robots, sex and sexuality, screen history, semiotics and subversive politics. Straight off the bat we have Caveh Zahedi's two film fest hits I Am a Sex Addict and The Sheik and I, Beth B's no-holds-barred look at burlesque in Exposed, the fantastic analysis of contemporary cinema in The Pervert's Guide to Ideology and the always surprising Aussie sci-fi/fantasy The 25th Reich.

The REVonDEMAND catalogue features 250+ short, feature, documentary, animation and experimental works with more than 60 exclusive to this site. All titles have previously appeared in the Rev program including a sizeable number of locally produced works. It represents an utterly unique initiative associated with any film festival on the planet and a great resource for filmmakers, students, academics and film lovers of all sorts.

3

Nov

HERE'S OUR NOVEMBER REV ON DEMAND NEW RELEASES

Our very own On Demand platform REVonDEMAND is getting bigger by the month and November is no exception.

While we're about to announce a ton more titles in the coming months we're overjoyed to announce the inclusion of two Australian and two international features this month.

The REVonDEMAND catalogue features 250+ short, feature, documentary, animation and experimental works with more than 60 exclusive to this site. All titles have previously appeared in the Rev program including a sizeable number of locally produced works. It represents an utterly unique initiative associated with any film festival on the planet and a great resource for filmmakers, students, academics and film lovers of all sorts.

1

Nov

november australian revelations: LAKE MUNGO

Our monthly Australian Revelations screenings have been selling out - and it's no surprise why with the great quality of films, locally made shorts, Q&A's and complimentary drinks and nibbles that accompany every screening - and for November we present the internationally acclaimed but rarely seen Lake Mungo.

Australia has consistently produced genre films of an extraordinarily high quality - Wolf Creek, Road Games, Mad Max, The Babadook and more recently Boys in the Trees. Nestled right there in the middle is Joel Anderson's excellent and spooky tale Lake Mungo. Criminally neglected, it's a great pleasure for us to bring this picture to local audiences for Australian Revelations.

"Deceptively simple in its construct and smashingly scary, Joel Anderson’s Lake Mungo is a twisting supernatural mystery of international standing, despite its very-Australian suburban milieu."

"The unfamiliar faces of the cast and the interview-style device via which the story unfolds add immeasurably to the nerve-jangling suspense Anderson creates. His patience as a storyteller and skill in framing the action so as to maximise his spooky intent, announces him as must-watch director in years to come."

Mon Nov 28thDrinks and nibbles from 6:30pm - film at 7pmThe Backlot Perth: 21 Simpson Street, West PerthRead more here

16

Oct

MUSIC MEETS FILM FOR REVELATION FILM FEST 2017

We've already received a fantastic response to our music meets film call out.

Rev is extending and invitation to WA musicians to come forward with music meets film ideas for possible presentation at the July 2017 event - which is incidentally celebrating its 20th anniversary.

Rev has a long history in presenting high-quality music/film concepts...here's some from recent memory...

If you have an idea we’d love to hear it - whether it be moving image art based experimentation or composing a score to an existing work, we’re open to anything. We have access to a range of venues across Perth and Fremantle from band spaces, to cabaret styled venues, to jazz rooms to the street via our partnerships with the Cities of Perth, Fremantle and Vincent and of course cinemas. Rev will also be able to assist with various logistics.

Event dates are July 6-19th 2017. Ideas only need to be concept at this stage - there'll be a full 6months after we make decisions to get the nuts and bolts together. So send us a brief concept outline (half page) and the kind of logistic/venue you'd be looking for.

Email us your idea here or call Richard on 0448 007 233 to talk. No idea is off the table and you never know until you give it a crack.

7

OCT

OCTOBER AUSTRALIAN REVELATIONS SCREENING - HOTEL COOLGARDIE - SOLD OUT!

“One of the most captivating Australian documentaries in recent memory. It’s humorous, absorbing, uneasy and often disturbing.” - Cinema Australia

From Finland come backpackers Lina and Steph looking for a way to make some fast cash to support their travels. An employment agency places them at the Denver City Hotel in the isolated town of Coolgardie - a tough place to adjust to for anyone. This documentary chronicles their time at the hotel, their relationships with the locals and unusual bonds that develop between all.

REVONDEMAND SPOTLIGHTS HORROR, SCI-FI & FANTASY

This month is Halloween so we're focussing on some of our horror/sci-fi and fantasy titles.

As well as quite a number the calibre of Troll Hunter, La Horde, Dead Snow and a ton of others, we've also specially negotiated the rights to present a number of titles you won't see anywhere else on any other platform anywhere on the planet.

NEW SEPTEMBER REV ON DEMAND TITLES - Ready for file purchase or streaming NOW!

We're overjoyed to include four titles for September from one of our great friends and one of the great contemporary subversive filmmakers - Mr Craig Baldwin.

Hailing from San Francisco and being one of the prime movers behind SF's The Other Cinema, Baldwin has been responsible for a dazzling series of found footage epics that examine music, cinema, politics, conspiracy, copyright, religion and pretty well everything in between.

We've managed to secure four of his mega-works for your viewing pleasure including:

2017 CALL FOR ENTRIES NOW OPEN - DEADLINE April 15, 2017.

Each year we receive hundreds of entries of all genres, all durations and all subjects from the 4-corners of the globe...and if you're a filmmaker we'd love to receive yours!

There's virtually no rules surrounding what types of films you enter but we do like them to be completed after Jan 1 2016...but look...we're wanting to screen the best of what we see so you can beat us down!

So, we'd love you to help us celebrate our 20th year with our biggest event to date.

We can't make it any easier to enter than what we have so for more information, just click here and you're on your way to hitting screens at what is regarded by many as Australia's filmmaker's festival!

We do however recommend entering via our own online portal here. Your entry information is not provided to any database and is contained wholly within the walls of Rev.

1

Aug

REVONDEMAND AUGUST TITLES

We've got two new titles August with a ton more to come. Fresh to your browser this month we're going back to 1999 with the wonderfully warm and moving portrait of Geraldine Cox - an unsung Australian hero running an orphanage in Cambodia in My Khmer Heart.

From 2002 we also present one of the most acclaimed and unusual documentaries of the year with Monteith McCollum's unique and deeply textured multi-award winning work Hybrid.

Both amazing films and both we're proud to present.

Also on the highlight list for August for your viewing enjoyment we have a selection of fine documentary works available exclusively on REVonDEMAND:

REVEL 8 SUPER 8 FILM COMPETITION WINNERS ONLINE

Get bunch of filmmakers making an in-camera Super 8 film, and a bunch of composers both of whom have never met, get the composers to score the film and bring them together for the first time the night they screen...it's so much fun.

THREE NEW REV ON DEMAND TITLES FOR JUNE!

We've just cracked the 100 mark in the number of feature film and feature documentary titles available on our very own On Demand platform thanks to the addition of three more titles this month.

They include the great indie feature Monkey Warfare - which was our Opening night film way back in 2007, the lost and forgotten but enormously enjoyable low-budget Aussie horror film The Demonsamongus and from the director of Guerrilla: The Taking of Patty Hearst we bring you the gripping look at the conspiracy around the JFK assassination in Oswald's Ghost.

With REVonDEMAND there's no subscription, there's no harvesting your information, it's not part of a giant international company, but we do try and bring you the best in nearly 20 years of international independent cinema. It's a one of a kind initiative and we believe it to be one of the few things like it anywhere in the world associated with an international film festival.

We're very proud of it actually, but we're more proud of the voice it can bring to the films and filmmakers involved.

For July we'll also be bringing you one or two special sidebars to time with main event!

Featured

AUSTRALIAN REVELATIONS MONTHLY SCREENINGS

We don't know of any other film festival in the country with a year-round commitment to Australian cinema like ours - and to prove it we dare you to be part of our Australian Revelations family.

On the last Monday of each month we screen a new or archival Australian film accompanied by a local short, guest presentations and Q&A's, give-aways, complimentary drinks, finger food and a really fantastic atmosphere.

RevOnDemand

Take a journey through nearly two decades of independent cinema with REVonDEMAND. There's more than 250 titles on show available that have been included in Rev since 1997 - many only available internationally here.

Many of the titles are free (incl all the shorts) and for August we've got 4 new additions. First off the bat is one of our all-time favourite Aussie features Alvin's Harmonious World of Opposites (which World Premiered at Rev) - it's magical! But if documentary is your thing we've got 3 titles from our friends at DocPlay. Our Opening Night of 2009 Good Hair is a riot, Jesus Camp is something of a contemporary classic and if social justice and politics is your thing The Act of Killing is an absolute must see. Couple that with The Look of Silence, and you've seen two of the most important documentaries of recent years. On the left you'll see our featured August short Flankers.

Viewing is not subscription based, we don't harvest any of your information and you don't need to sign up.